Talent Acquisition Specialist

Location : Location US-IL-Mattoon
ID
2025-33047
Category
Human Resources
Type
Regular Full-Time

About us

Rural King is America’s Farm and Home Store, providing essentials to the communities we serve. With a wide array of necessities ranging from food and feed to farm and home products, Rural King serves over 130 locations across 13 states and is constantly expanding. Our annual sales exceed $2.5 Billion, and our heart beats in Mattoon, IL, home to our corporate office, distribution center, and flagship store.

 

One thing our customers appreciate is our unique shopping experience, complete with complimentary popcorn and coffee. It's just one way we show our appreciation for their support.

 

At Rural King, we value our associates and strive to create a positive, rewarding workplace. We offer growth opportunities, competitive benefits, and a people-first environment where dedicated individuals come together to serve rural communities passionately. Join us, and you'll find not just a job but a chance to grow professionally, contribute meaningfully, and make a difference in the lives of those we serve.

 

How we reward you

401(k) plan that provides a 100% match on the first 3% of your contributions and 50% of the next 2%

Healthcare plans to support your needs

Virtual doctor visits

Access to Centers of Excellence with Barnes Jewish Hospital and Mayo Clinic’s Complex Care Program

15% Associate Discount

Dave Ramsey’s SmartDollar Program

Associate Assistance Program

RK Cares Associate Hardship Program

24/7 Chaplaincy Services

 

What You’ll do

 

The Talent Acquisition Specialist is part of a fast paced and dynamic team. You'll play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our company by recruiting top talent. We are seeking a driven and goal-oriented professional dedicated to supporting our mission of attracting, engaging, and hiring the best candidates to drive our company's success.

 

  • Lead full-cycle recruitment for complex, high-level roles, including job postings, advanced sourcing, screening, structured interviewing, offer extension, and select onboarding tasks.

  • Partner with hiring managers to analyze staffing needs, design targeted recruitment strategies, and deliver actionable talent solutions.

  • Develop and execute innovative, multi-channel sourcing strategies leveraging LinkedIn Recruiter, Boolean/X-ray search, social media, job boards, professional networks, and industry-specific platforms to attract diverse and passive candidates.

  • Build and maintain robust talent pipelines through proactive candidate engagement, market mapping, and strategic relationship management with candidates, industry professionals, and educational institutions.

  • Ensure a high-touch candidate experience through timely, transparent communication and structured feedback.

  • Generate and analyze recruitment data and pipeline metrics to drive informed hiring decisions and continuous process optimization.

  • Provide final hiring recommendations in collaboration with hiring managers and prepare competitive offer packages.

  • Monitor recruitment progress, follow up regularly with hiring managers and candidates, and ensure efficient, compliant hiring cycles.

  • Maintain deep awareness of industry trends, labor market intelligence, and best practices to continuously enhance recruitment strategy.

  • Coordinate onboarding initiatives to ensure seamless integration of new hires into the organization.

  • Ensure all recruitment activities comply with company policies, employment laws, and internal governance standards.

  • Identify opportunities for process improvement, leveraging technology and analytics to enhance efficiency and candidate experience.

  • Act as a strategic advisor and trusted partner across departments, contributing to business-critical talent initiatives.

  • Apply independent judgment and discretion while maintaining confidentiality and professionalism in all recruiting matters.

  • Conintue to develop and expand expertise and stay current on recruiting innovations.

  • Model and uphold Rural King’s core values: People First, Integrity, Attitude, Initiative, Teamwork, Accountability, and Continuous Improvement.

  • Perform additional duties as assigned to support organizational talent objectives.

Supervisory Responsibilities

 

None

Essential Qualities for Success

 

  • Bachelor’s degree and at least 5 years of complex full-cycle recruiting experience across corporate, technology, or multi-unit. 

  • Proven experience recruiting for high-level, specialized, or hard-to-fill roles across multiple business units.

  • Expertise in complex candidate searches using advanced Boolean, X-ray, and semantic search techniques across LinkedIn Recruiter, GitHub, Stack Overflow, Indeed, and other industry-specific databases.

  • Skilled in building long-term talent pipelines, including passive candidate engagement, talent mapping, succession planning, and market intelligence.

  • Proficient in leveraging Applicant Tracking Systems (iCIMS) and CRM tools to manage candidate pools, track metrics, and forecast recruiting needs.

  • Experienced in multi-channel sourcing strategies, including targeted email campaigns, social recruiting, professional/executive networks, and employee referral amplification.

  • Data-driven approach: analyzes KPIs, conversion rates, and pipeline metrics to optimize recruitment effectiveness.

  • Able to manage high-volume and high-complexity requisitions while maintaining quality, accuracy, and compliance.

  • Strong knowledge of competency-based interviewing, behavioral assessments, and structured evaluation frameworks.

  • Skilled in mentoring and guiding hiring managers on candidate evaluation and effective feedback.

  • Thrives in fast-paced, evolving environments with flexibility, resourcefulness, and proactive problem-solving.

  • Exceptional influencing, negotiation, and communication skills with stakeholders at all levels, including executives.

  • Dynamic, outgoing, and able to quickly engage senior-level candidates.

  • Highly detail-oriented, organized, and accountable, with the ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.

  • Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, social networking technologies, sourcing tools, and recruitment analytics platforms.

 

Physical Requirements 

  •  Ability to maintain a seated or standing position for extended durations.
  • Capability to lift 15 pounds periodically.
  • Ability to navigate and access all facilities.
  • Skill to effectively communicate verbally with others, both in-person and via electronic devices.
  • Close vision for computer-related activities.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

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